![]() ![]() If you’re up for a challenge, it’s also über cool to try writing the ß by hand! German alphabet pronunciation: Challenging letters for English-speakers In fact, Switzerland and Liechtenstein have completely done away with the ß and only use “ss”. When you’re typing it’s also completely acceptable to replace the ß with “ss”, so that Straße becomes Strasse. The best thing about this letter? It sounds exactly like the “s” sound in English! But it’s simpler than it sounds–it actually just means “ss”. The German letter ß is a ligature and is also called a “ scharfes s” (sharp s). The Eszett: ßĮver heard of a ligature? No, it’s not a medical term – a ligature is when two sounds or letters are put together to make a new letter. You can type schoen instead of schön (beautiful) and German-speakers will know exactly what you mean. If you don’t have a German keyboard, don’t panic – all umlaut vowels can be replaced with typing an E after the vowel instead. Don’t be afraid to look silly or exaggerate the sound! To create the Ü sound, start to make an “eww” sound as if something is disgusting, and then purse your lips like you are going to whistle. For Ö, start by forming the word “look” in your mouth, then purse your lips into an “O” shape. The Ö and Ü vowels are more challenging because their sounds don’t exist in the English language. The sound can be elongated in some words, but make sure it does not slide into an “ay” sound. Ä sounds like the short “eh” sound in the English word “head”. Ä is the umlaut vowel with the closest sound equivalent in English. ![]() While ä, ö, and ü are sounds we don’t typically use in the English language, your mouth can learn these sounds with just ein bisschen (a little) effort. The umlaut just means that the letter has its own sound, and is not pronounced the same as the normal vowel without the umlaut. What are the four extra letters in German? Vowels with Umlauts: Ä, Ö, and Üĭon’t let the extra vowels in German scare you away! These three letters are created by adding what’s called an umlaut – two dots – to the top of the vowels. Unlike English, it follows consistent phonetic rules and you can sound out the word according to the alphabet and get the right pronunciation in most situations. Thankfully the German language is very orderly – much like German society. Once you’ve given some attention to the extra vowels, it’s a matter of learning the letters that look the same as English but sound different. The main thing to remember is that if you know English, you already have 26 letters under your belt. If you count these, this brings the count up to 30 letters. While many say that the German alphabet has 26 letters just like English, there are also four additional letters in the German language: ä, ö, ü and ß. If you’re wondering about this question, you’re not alone! Even the experts can’t make up their minds, with some saying 26 while others say 30. Once you can recognize the letters that might trip you up, you’ll be ready to test your skills! How many letters does the German alphabet have? German has all the same letters as English, plus a few more thrown in for fun. The good news is that you already know more than you realize. Play is an important way for your child to learn.Intimidated by the German alphabet? You might be tempted to skip it altogether and jump ahead to handy phrases, but taking the time to learn the basic German sounds will take you farther than you think. They will be learning to balance on one foot and hop soon! Shop 3 - 4 yearsĪt this age, imagination knows no bounds – anything is possible! They love reading books, playing dress-up and being active with you! Shop 4 - 5 years Shop 24 Months - 3 Yearsīy now, your little one is improving their ball skills, riding a trike, using pencils and scissors and drawing. Your toddler’s social skills are developing! Encourage their imagination with toys that promote creativity and roleplay, while bigger play sets can help them become more comfortable in group play. Most children are confident walkers by now! They’ll love burning off that energy by kicking a ball or climbing aboard a ride-on toy car or their first trike! Shop 18 - 24 months ![]() Musical instruments and stacking toys are a hit at this age! Shop 12 - 18 months Your excitable little one’s coordination has come on leaps and bounds! Once they’re on their feet, they’ll enjoy pushing toys on wheels. Your active baby will now want to explore everything and everywhere! Use simple language to help encourage that first word and ensure playtime includes fun games like peek-a-boo. Encourage their new-found mobility with toys that engage them physically. Your baby’s about to become a confident little mover – rolling and crawling are on the horizon. ![]()
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